Varanasi’s Sunday cycling programme pairs fitness with a drug-free youth message
The 94th Sundays on Cycle edition was scheduled from Namo Ghat on 11 October, with Asian Games medallists listed among the participants.
Varanasi’s 94th Fit India Sundays on Cycle programme was scheduled for 11 October, linking a community cycling ride with a campaign encouraging young people to avoid substance abuse. The sports ministry announced a 6 am start from Namo Ghat, with the route extending to Diksha Mandap at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University.
The advance programme named Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya as chief guest and listed Asian Games medallists Prachi Chaudhary, Parul Chaudhary, Jay Kumar and Raj Kumar Pal among those expected to participate. Their scheduled involvement was intended to bring young riders into contact with athletes competing at international level.
The announced activities also included yoga, Zumba, games and interactive sessions at Namo Ghat. The ministry presented cycling as an accessible way to build physical activity into daily life, alongside walking and other forms of exercise.
Sundays on Cycle is organised by the sports ministry with the Cycling Federation of India, Raahgiri Foundation and MY Bharat. According to the announcement, the wider initiative operates across states and Union Territories, including sports training centres, while more than 6,000 NAMO Fit India Clubs organise weekly rides.
This report is based on the ministry’s 10 October advance announcement. Attendance, the completion of the ride and any statements made at Sunday’s event had not been independently verified at publication. The scheduled programme should therefore not be read as a report of confirmed turnout or outcomes.